Anti-flushing diaphragm

ABSTRACT

An elastomeric anti-flushing diaphragm ( 80 ) having a cantilevered peripheral rim ( 84 ) is supported by and resides under a diverter ( 52 ) which is placed directly over the main or primary drain opening ( 44 ) in a top wall ( 40 ) of a urinal cartridge ( 22 ). As liquid passes under the diverter, a negative pressure or suction is created on the underside ( 96 ) of the diaphragm. As the flow of liquid increases, the negative pressure increases to pull down the peripheral edge (rim  84 ) of the diaphragm on the top wall and to constrict the flow of liquid that can pass under it, thus limiting the amount of turbulence in the sealing fluid ( 30 ) within the cartridge and preventing its loss to an external drain tube ( 34 ). When the liquid flow is sufficient to rise above the diverter, as in the case of a bucket ( 100 ) of water ( 102 ) being poured into the urinal bowl, the water creates a positive pressure above the diaphragm, that is, on its upper side ( 94 ). This positive pressure, in concert with the negative pressure on the underside of the diaphragm, seals the peripheral edge of the diaphragm to the top of the cartridge, thereby blocking the main drain and diverts the liquid to smaller secondary openings ( 45 ) in the top wall which can operate otherwise as cartridge-removing tool holes and vent holes. The flow through the secondary openings allows slow drainage and no loss of sealant. When the pressure subsides or is reduced, the diaphragm returns to its normal position due to its elastic resiliency, and allows normal operation of the water free urinal without any restriction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/678,476 filed 6 May 2005, and U.S. NonProvisional Applications, Ser. No. 11/032,508 filed 9 Jan. 2005, Ser. No. 11/032,310 filed 9 Jan. 2005, and Ser. No. 11/032,307 filed 9 Jan. 2005.

REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERAL SPONSORSHIP

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for preventing loss of sealant in a water free cartridge and, more particularly, such loss as may occur during larger than normal flow of wastewater and other fluids into the cartridge.

2. Description of Related Art and Other Considerations

In water free urinal cartridges that utilize an oily sealant to prevent odors from escaping to the environment, it is important that all methods be employed to reduce, if not altogether avert, the loss of such sealant during use of the cartridge and to extend the life of such cartridges or, at a minimum, to reduce or avoid the need to replace the sealant. Among the several events that cause sealant loss, one that frequently occurs is the dumping or excessive flow of water or other fluid into the cartridge through the entry opening into the cartridge interior. The result of such excess fluid is that the rapid flow of the fluid creates turbulence in the sealant which then is caused to be forced into the drain and thus to be lost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to address and overcome this and other problems by utilizing fluid instrumentation that cuts off fluid flow through the entry opening, preferably by a diaphragm-type valve. Briefly, a flexible sealing element is positioned over the top wall in which the entry opening is placed. The flexible sealing element (e.g., a diaphragm) includes a periphery (e.g., rim) surrounding the opening, which periphery is normally spaced from the top wall to permit a lesser sealant-disturbing quantity of fluid to flow through the opening into the enclosure. The sealing element is movable into contact with the top wall to form a fluid-tight seal therewith and thereby prevents the larger sealant-disturbing quantity of fluid from flowing into the cartridge through the opening.

The preferred embodiment comprises a sealing element comprising a flexible diaphragm having a membrane that extends to a thickened rim, which defines the periphery and which extends in a normally spaced and unsealed disposition with respect to the opening. The diaphragm is supported by a fluid-diverting shell placeable on and spaced from the wall and over its opening therein, which shell is so configured as to redirect fluids in a circuitous path towards the entry opening. As liquid passes under the shell, a negative pressure or suction is created on the underside of the diaphragm. As the flow of liquid increases, the negative pressure increases to pull down the peripheral rim edge of the diaphragm and to constrict the flow of liquid that can pass under it, thus limiting the amount of turbulence in the sealing fluid within the cartridge and preventing its loss to an external drain pipe. When the liquid flow is sufficient to rise above the diverter, such as when a bucket of water is poured into the urinal bowl, the water creates a positive pressure above the diaphragm. This positive pressure, in concert with the negative pressure on the underside of the diaphragm, seals the peripheral edge of the diaphragm to the top of the cartridge, thereby blocking the main drain and diverts the liquid to smaller secondary openings which operate otherwise as cartridge-removing tool holes and vent holes. The flow through the secondary openings allows slow drainage and no loss of sealant. When the pressure subsides or is reduced, the diaphragm returns to its normal position due to its elastic resiliency, and allows normal operation of the water free urinal without any restriction.

Other aims and advantages, as well as a more complete understanding of the present invention, will appear from the following explanation of exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view in partial section of an anti-flushing diaphragm supported by a urine diverter, and in its non-flexed and non-sealing disposition, as placed atop a urinal cartridge;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the cartridge without the placement thereon of the assembled anti-flushing diaphragm and urine diverter;

FIG. 3 is a cut-away perspective view of the assembled urinal cartridge, anti-flushing diaphragm and urine diverter, as depicted in FIG. 1, but rotated 180° therefrom, as placed within a urinal;

FIG. 4 is a partial view of the FIG. 3 depiction, looking downwardly thereon;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the assembly comprising the urinal cartridge, anti-flushing diaphragm and urine diverter, as fitted within a housing, for enabling the integration of the urinal cartridge, anti-flushing diaphragm and urine diverter into the urinal;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 5, taken along section line 6-6 thereof, and with wastewater and a sealant floating thereon;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 5, taken along section line 7-7 thereof, and with wastewater and a sealant floating thereon;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the assembly shown in FIGS. 5-7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly as depicted, for example, in FIG. 7, but rotated 180° therefrom;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the anti-flushing diaphragm;

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the anti-flushing diaphragm;

FIG. 12 is a side planar view of the anti-flushing diaphragm;

FIG. 13 is a top planar view of the anti-flushing diaphragm;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the anti-flushing diaphragm taken along section line 14-14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the anti-flushing diaphragm as placed atop the urinal cartridge, illustrating the sealing feature of the flexed diaphragm when a large quantity of fluid is dumped from a bucket onto the cartridge, the diaphragm here being distinguished from its non-flexed and non-sealing disposition as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1-9;

FIG. 16 is a partial view of the FIG. 15 depiction, looking downwardly thereon; and

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly as depicted in FIGS. 15 and 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Accordingly, as depicted in FIGS. 1-9, an odor trap 20 comprises a cartridge or cartridge assembly 22, which is sometimes referred to as an “oil sealant-preserving drain odor trap.” Cartridge assembly 22, acting as a flow trap or enclosure for urine or other generally fluid waste products, comprises a top portion 24 and a bottom portion 26. Wastewater 28, such as a fluid with urine therein, and an oily liquid odor sealant 30 floating on the wastewater is contained within the cartridge. Cartridge 22 is disposed to be placed and retained in a housing 32, which enables the urinal cartridge to be fitted into and integrated within a urinal 33. Housing 32 includes an drain tube 34 for coupling the cartridge to a drain.

Top portion 24 has a cylindrical configuration defined by a tubular wall 36 terminated by an opening 38 at its lower end and a top wall 40 at its upper end. The top wall is sloped downwardly from its outer edge to a generally horizontal flat center portion 42 in which an entry opening 44 is disposed to act as a primary urine inlet. As best depicted in FIG. 2, opening 44 may comprise a tripartite arrangement of three arced slotted openings 44 a, 44 b and 44 c. A center hole 46 is centrally positioned within center portion 42.

Top wall 40 is further provided with at least two openings 45 (as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2) which act as air vents that communicate with the interior of cartridge 20. In the event that one may become clogged, there will be at least another that remains open. As will be explained below, although openings 45 are smaller than opening 44 (and, collectively, its slotted openings 44 a, 44 b and 44 c), they can be used as alternate entries for urine into the cartridge; therefore, they may be considered as being secondary to that as compared to primary opening 44. In addition, openings 45 also provide a means by which a tool may be inserted therein for the purpose of inserting and removing the cartridge into and from urinal housing 32, as described in co-pending application Ser. No. 11/032,307. Accordingly, for purposes of their use as tool engagement means, it is preferred that the outermost two openings be approximately diagonally opposed to one another. Furthermore, the placement or use of these openings may be otherwise designed to accommodate other tool configurations.

Top wall 40 is provided with a recess 48 (see FIG. 1) to accept a seal 50, such as an O-ring seal. Recess 48 has a small dimension sufficient to minimize the trapping of urine therein.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 6-9, a urine diverter 52 is positionable atop cylinder top wall 40 for protectively covering cartridge entry opening 44 at center portion 42, primarily to provide a circuitous path for flow of urine to the entry opening. Therefore, urine is prevented from directly contacting and entering into opening 44 and its arced slotted openings 44 a, 44 b and 44 c. Diverter 52 includes a shell 54. The diverter is slightly spaced from top wall 40 of cartridge 22 to assure a clear path for flow of the urine. Such spacing is effected by use of spacers or standoffs 56, which depend from shell 54. The diverter is further described in patent applications Ser. No. 11/032,508, Ser. No. 11/032,310 and Ser. No. 11/032,307, all filed 9 Jan. 2005.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, shell 54 comprises an upper surface 58, terminated by a periphery 60 having a downwardly directed flange 62, which defines a central opening 64. Upper surface 58 slopes downwardly towards periphery 60 to encourage flow of urine towards the periphery. Inwardly-facing bumps or protuberances 66 are formed adjacent to and between standoffs 56.

A hub 68 preferably of cylindrical configuration is secured at one end to the under surface of shell 54 and terminates in a securing mechanism 70 at its free end. A smaller diameter, slightly conical end 72 is formed at the free end, and is sized to form an interference fit within center hole 46 in cartridge top wall 40.

An anti-flushing diaphragm 80, as best depicted in FIGS. 1 and 9-14, has a wheel-like configuration, as comprising a hub 82, a rim 84 and a web 86 uniting the hub and rim together. Because rim 84 extends freely from hub 82, web 86 provides a cantilevered support for the rim. An opening 88 is provided in hub 82 and is disposed to fit snugly about hub 68 of diverter 52 and, therefore, to be supported thereby and form a seal therewith. Opening 88 is closed by a wall 90 to fit snugly against diverter hub 68. An opening 92 in wall 90 is dimensioned to accommodate securing mechanism 70. As thus supported and as illustrated in FIG. 9, diaphragm 80 is so positioned that its upperside 94 faces the underside of shell 54 and its underside 96 faces cartridge top wall 40. To properly function as a flexible element or like instrumentation, diaphragm 80 is formed from an elastomeric material, such as of rubber. Rim 84 is thickened and so shaped that, when web 86 is flexed during operation, the rim can make a fluid-tight contact with cartridge top wall 40. It is to be understood that the rim may be configured otherwise than as depicted in order that the most effecting sealing contact as necessary can be provided as to carry the concept of the present invention into effect.

In operation, diaphragm 80 is designed to be used in conjunction with flow diverter 52, to be supported thereby and to enable rim 84 to be held normally in a floating, non-contacting disposition between the underside of shell 54 and cartridge top wall 40. This normal disposition is depicted in FIGS. 1-9. The diaphragm thus resides under the diverter which, as being placed directly over main or primary drain opening 44, likewise so places the diaphragm. As liquid passes under the diverter, a negative pressure or suction is created on underside 96 of the diaphragm. As the flow of liquid increases, the negative pressure increases to pull down the peripheral edge of the diaphragm and to constrict the flow of liquid that can pass under it, thus limiting the amount of turbulence in the sealing fluid within the cartridge and preventing its loss to the external drain pipe, e.g., through drain tube 34. As illustrated in FIGS. 15-17, when the liquid flow is sufficient to rise above the diverter as in the case of a bucket 100 of water (as depicted by dashed lines 102) being poured into the urinal bowl, it creates a positive pressure above the diaphragm, that is, on its upper side 94 (see FIG. 17). This positive pressure, in concert with the negative pressure on the underside of the diaphragm, seals the peripheral edge of the diaphragm, at rim 84, to top wall 40 of the cartridge, thereby blocking primary opening 44 and diverts the liquid to smaller secondary openings, that is, vent/tool holes 45, which flow through the secondary openings allows slow drainage and no loss of sealant 30. When the pressure is reduced or subsides, the diaphragm returns to its normal position due to its elastic resiliency, with rim 84 floating between the diverter shell and the cartridge top wall, and allows normal operation of the water free urinal without any restriction.

From the above description of the operation of the present invention, it follows, therefore, that the diaphragm is so shaped, specifically its peripheral rim edge and its web connecting material to its hub, and is so constructed, e.g., in the dimensions of its constituent parts and composition of material, as to permit it to be flexed vis-a-vis the fluid flow for optimum sealing. Thus, the diaphragm can be tuned to the pressure differential exerted thereon.

Although the invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments thereof, it should be realized that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. Instrumentation for avoiding the flow of a larger quantity of fluid than a lesser quantity of fluid through an opening in a top wall into an enclosure enclosing wastewater and a sealant floating thereon and, thereby, leading to unwanted disturbance of the sealant, comprising: a flexible sealing element positioned over the top wall and the opening, and including a periphery surrounding the opening and normally spaced from the top wall to permit the lesser quantity of fluid to flow through the opening into the enclosure and movable into contact with the top wall to form a fluid-tight seal therewith and thereby to prevent the larger quantity of fluid from flowing into the cartridge through the opening.
 2. Instrumentation according to claim 1 in which said sealing element comprises a diaphragm having membrane extending to a thickened rim that defines said periphery, which rim extends in a normally spaced and unsealed disposition with respect to the opening.
 3. Instrumentation according to claim 2 wherein a fluid-diverting shell is placeable on and spaced from the top wall and over the opening therein, which shell is bounded by a periphery and that is configured to direct fluids towards the shell periphery and thus to avoid direct access of the fluids to the opening, further in which said diaphragm is secured to and supported by the shell such that said rim is normally positioned between the shell and the top wall.
 4. Instrumentation according to claim 3 in which the shell is provided with a center hub securable to the top wall and said diaphragm is formed generally as a disc having a centrally positioned hub secured to the shell hub.
 5. In a urinal cartridge having a top wall for receiving wastewater and other fluids, a primary opening and smaller secondary openings in the top wall, an enclosure into which the wastewater is received through the primary opening, a quantity of low-density liquid in the enclosure forming an odor-barrier sealant layer above the wastewater, and a diverter which is placeable on the top wall and over the primary opening therein and which includes (a) a shell having an essentially fluid-impermeable upper surface that is bounded by a periphery and that is configured to direct the wastewater towards the shell periphery, and (b) a spacer spacing the shell from the top wall to permit the wastewater to flow from the upper surface periphery onto the top wall for entry into the top wall primary opening and thereby to avoid direct access of the wastewater to the primary opening, instrumentation for avoiding undesired flushing of fluids into the enclosure leading to unwanted disturbance of the low-density liquid comprising: a flexible anti-flushing diaphragm secured to and within the diverter shell and positioned over the top wall and the entry primary opening, and including a cantilevered peripheral rim surrounding the entry primary opening and normally spaced from the top wall to permit fluids to flow through the entry primary opening into the cartridge and movable into contact with the top wall to form a fluid-tight seal therewith and thereby to prevent fluids from flowing into the cartridge through the entry primary opening, whereby, as fluid passes under the diverter, a negative pressure or suction is created on the underside of said diaphragm and, as the flow of the fluid increases, the negative pressure increases to pull down said peripheral rim of said diaphragm and to constrict the flow of the fluid that can pass under said diaphragm, thus limiting the amount of turbulence in the sealing fluid within the cartridge and preventing its loss to an external drain pipe and, when the fluid flow is sufficient to rise above the diverter, such as in the event that a large quantity of fluid is poured onto the top wall, the fluid creates a positive pressure above said diaphragm, wherein the positive pressure, in concert with the negative pressure on the underside of said diaphragm, seals said peripheral rim to the top wall, thereby blocking the primary opening and diverting the fluid to the smaller secondary openings, which flow through the secondary openings allows slow drainage and no loss of the sealant, and when the pressure subsides, said diaphragm returns to its normal position due to its elastic resiliency, and allows normal operation of the cartridge.
 6. A method for avoiding the flow of a larger quantity of fluid than a lesser quantity of fluid through an opening in a wall into an enclosure enclosing wastewater and a sealant floating thereon and, thereby, leading to unwanted disturbance of the sealant, comprising the steps of: permitting the opening to remain in communication with the enclosure when a lesser quantity of fluid exists; and sealing the opening when a larger quantity of fluid than a lesser quantity of fluid exists.
 7. A method according to claim 6 further including the steps of positioning a sealing element over the wall and the opening, and utilizing the negative and positive pressures of the fluid to effectuate said permitting and sealing steps.
 8. A method according to claim 7 further including the step of imparting flexibility to the sealing element to effect said positioning step.
 9. A method according to claim 8 further including the step of utilizing at least one opening in the wall secondary to and smaller than the first-mentioned opening for permitting a smaller flow of the fluid into the enclosure during said sealing step.
 10. A method according to claim 7 further including the steps of: diverting all flow of fluid for direct flow into the opening by a diverter; forming the sealing element as a flexible diaphragm with a peripheral rim; and supporting the sealing element within the diverter, whereby, as fluid passes under the diverter, a negative pressure is created on the underside of the sealing element and, as the flow of the fluid increases, the negative pressure increases to pull down the peripheral rim of the diaphragm and to constrict the flow of the fluid that can pass under the diaphragm, thus limiting the amount of turbulence in the sealant within the enclosure and preventing its loss to the exterior of the enclosure and, when the fluid flow is sufficient to rise above the diverter, the fluid creates a positive pressure above the diaphragm, wherein the positive pressure, in concert with the negative pressure on the underside of the diaphragm, seals the peripheral rim to the wall, thereby blocking the first-mentioned opening and diverting the fluid to the smaller secondary opening, which flow through the secondary opening allows slow drainage and no loss of the sealant, and when the pressure subsides, the diaphragm returns to its normal position due to its elastic resiliency. 